Marina Mirage will be home to one of the country’s largest and most glamorous food destinations after luxury marketplace, Mercado, confirms its first store on the Gold Coast. In a landmark tenancy for the waterfront shopping and dining precinct, Mercado has signed a 2,100m2 lease with Marina Mirage owner The Makris Group and will spend the next 12 to 18 months developing a fit-out befitting what will become its flagship store.

The world class food hall will offer a range of fresh produce and ingredients, premium liquor from around the world, along with its piece de resistance – a restaurant where the executive chef will combine all these elements in one memorable, fine dining experience.

Mercado’s imminent arrival on the Gold Coast follows the November 2018 opening of Mercado Brisbane, a 1,500m2 site that has been likened to London’s iconic Harrods Food Hall and Galeries Lafayette in Paris.

The Makris Group Chief Operating Officer Jason Makris said Mercado Marina Mirage would be a destination unlike any the Gold Coast had seen.

“At a time when people have never been more passionate about gourmet food experiences, Mercado has raised the bar in terms of food and beverage shopping concepts. From seafood, meats, cheeses, breads and pastries to chocolates, specialty teas and everyday convenience items, shoppers will be able to not only find the freshest and finest produce and ingredients Australia has to offer but do so in a venue that reflects architectural beauty. Marina Mirage has long been established as a destination for premium shopping and dining, and the arrival of Mercado will continue to cement the centre’s position long into the future” he said.

Mercado goes to great lengths to turn the weekly grocery shop into a culinary journey, with casual visits complemented by concierge-guided flavour tours and personal shopping experiences.

Other innovations include customers being able to place an order on an in-store iPad before retiring to the Mercado bar while personal shoppers source their items for them. 

Mercado General Manager Property, Shaun Dunleavy, said he is excited to bring the Mercado concept to the Gold Coast.

“Customers have been impressed with the quality, range and prices at our Brisbane operation and we can’t wait to do it all again on an even bigger scale,” said Dunleavy.

“Marina Mirage is the perfect location for new flagship premises, which will epitomise our ethos of showcasing food quality and innovation under one exquisite roof. Mercado is a destination, where food and produce are honoured as they were intended and we look forward to sharing our food wonderland with customers in 2019 and beyond.” he continued.

News of Mercado’s tenancy comes after a busy few months for Marina Mirage that saw the launch of a number of exciting new food and beverage operators. This included the openings of Cricelato gelato, the French-inspired La Provence Café and Eatery, specialty coffee house Jack’s Coffee Roasters, waterfront gem King Crab Co. and the scheduled opening of a new Greek Restaurant next month.

Covering more than 12,200m2 and with 657 car park spaces, the Marina Mirage centre comprises 80 stores including designer boutiques, lifestyle stores, restaurants, cafes and its own 75-berth floating marina.

Brisbane’s Mercado launch